Hitman Franchise Surpasses Monumental Player Threshold

Hitman: World of Assassination Reaches 75 Million Players, a Monumental Milestone for IO Interactive

IO Interactive proudly announced that Hitman: World of Assassination has surpassed a remarkable 75 million players. This achievement encompasses players who utilized the free starter pack and those who experienced the game through Xbox Game Pass during its two-year tenure on the service. This likely makes it IO Interactive's most successful title to date.

It's important to note that World of Assassination isn't a single game, but a compilation of the three most recent Hitman titles. This strategic bundling, launched in January 2023 for PC and consoles, and later on Meta Quest 3 in September 2024, significantly boosted player numbers. While specific game-by-game player counts weren't released, Hitman 3 is speculated to have contributed significantly to the overall total, given its strong sales performance in various markets.

The Impact of Xbox Game Pass and the Free Starter Pack

The monumental player count is largely attributed to the game's two-year availability on Xbox Game Pass (ending January 2024) and the readily accessible free starter pack offered since the 2021 release. Free demos for the first two trilogy entries further broadened the game's reach.

Hitman's Future: A Temporary Hiatus

While Hitman: World of Assassination continues to receive updates, including elusive targets, IO Interactive's current focus lies elsewhere. The studio is currently developing two new projects: Project 007, a James Bond game, and Project Fantasy, a new IP venturing into a fantastical setting. These projects mark a strategic shift for IO Interactive, indicating a temporary, albeit successful, hiatus for the Hitman franchise.